Caring for your fence

Your garden fence outlines the boundary of your garden, so it’s crucial that it stays looking its best all year round. Regular fence care and garden fence maintenance are required to protect your timber from the elements.

Transforming and treating your fence has wider effects for your entire garden; it can completely change its look and help you achieve the aesthetic you’re going for. It’s sometimes forgotten that they’re a stylistic asset as much as a functional one.

Have you just put up a new fence? Or do you fancy bringing tired panels back to life? These fence maintenance tips offer plenty of simple and affordable options to help with your project.

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Start by cleaning dirt and mould from your panels using a pressure washer or wood cleaner.
Repair rotting or splitting wood before applying any wood fence maintenance treatments.
Apply a quality wood preserver and decking oil or fence care paint to protect it from weather.

Cleaning your fence

When giving your fence a full refresh, it’s often good to start by giving it a good clean. This allows you to start anew when thinking about treatment and design choices.
If you’re trying to remove stubborn dirt and mould, using a wood cleaning treatment or watered-down bleach will help to lift and loosen it so you can finish it with your pressure washer.
Be sure to give the timber time to dry completely before treating it.

Repairing your fence

Between cleaning and treating your fence is the ideal time to make any necessary repairs.
Keep an eye out for any areas where the wood is rotting or splitting. These can be repaired or replaced depending on the extent of the damage.

Protecting your fence

While a vast majority of fence panels are already pressure treated or pre-treated when you buy them, it’s always a good idea to add your own additional treatment. It can add extra years’ worth of protection and save you the cost and hassle of maintenance in the future.
When it comes to choosing the right product, decking oil is perfect for protecting and preserving your garden fence panels. It helps them last longer by providing outstanding water resistance and keeps them looking their best with UV protection.
For the most effective protection, start by applying 2 coats of wood preserver before adding 2 coats of decking oil on top.
If you want to bring the best out of the grain while retaining a natural look, opt for clear or natural wood preservers and decking oils.

Colouring your fence

Adding a splash of colour is a great way to add a decorative touch to your garden fence.
If you want to combine design and protection, decking oils and wood preservers are available in a range of shades.
For more freedom when it comes to picking colours, preservers or shed & fence treatment can be applied on top of clear preserver or under clear wood oil, and they give you plenty of room for creativity.
Create a stunning modern aesthetic with a Tudor Black or Country Cream, or try a less conventional take on traditional with a Harvest Gold or Red Cedar.
Make sure to apply paints or stains in the same direction as the grain in order to get the best finish.

To find out who is responsible for fence maintenance, check your property deeds. They'll show which boundary belongs to you.

They seal the timber against rain and damp, preventing rot and splitting while providing UV protection.

Clean off dirt and rust with a wire brush, then apply specialised exterior metal paint.

Yes, they do. In spring, check for winter storm damage. This is the ideal time for repairs/care as the wood will likely be dry. During the summer, trim fast-growing vegetation and apply UV protection to dry wood. In autumn, rake away fallen leaves from the base and in winter watch out for windstorm damage and clear heavy snow off rails.